Eviction Prevention Due to Arrears in Rent

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Preventing eviction due to arrears in rent make an impact by rather than being evicted from their housing, tenants may simply require assistance in remaining housed and addressing the arrears, by addressing the underlying contributing factors and developing a flexible and reasonable repayment plan.

Tools addressing eviction prevention due to arrears in rent are a form of homelessness prevention because they work upstream to address underlying and often avoidable situations that can lead to homelessness.

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On this episode:

Case Study

OCHE works directly with tenants to understand their situation and helps them make a plan to avoid eviction. As a large majority of tenants do want to pay their rent but find themselves unable to do so, OCHE supports tenants facing eviction to identify and address the underlying issues preventing them from paying their rent. OCHE has found success in addressing these issues when working with tenants in a respectful, supportive, adaptive role – rather than in an adversarial relationship of arrears collection.

Financial Considerations

OCHE suggests that organizations unable to employ dedicated staff to this role should not see this as a barrier to adopting the OCHE approach. Existing staff in social housing (operated by both public and non-profit housing providers) can adopt the OCHE approach by ensuring that the goal is tenant engagement and empowerment and that tenants are approached respectfully, flexibly, and with understanding and the desire to work together. OCHE insists this can go a long way in preventing evictions due to arrears, as building relationships of respect and trust with tenants may encourage tenants to disclose to staff when they are having financial difficulty, in advance of an eviction notice being served.

Click here to read more about financial considerations for implementation.